Citroën has named Karl Howkins as its new UK managing director, effective 1 June 2018.

Karl Howkins becomes managing director of Citroën UK

Howkins will replace Bek Hassan who transfers to a senior position in Paris, working for the PSA Group.

British-born Howkins started his career as a management trainee in a Vauxhall dealership and is currently managing director of Opel Switzerland.

He has previously held the roles of deputy managing director of FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK, managing director of Opel Netherlands and fleet operations director for Vauxhall Motors.

Stéphane Le Guével, director general – Peugeot Citroën Automobiles UK, said: “The Citroën brand will launch several significant new products in the next few months, so I am pleased that Karl’s appointment is happening now. Citroën’s repositioning, in line with its new “Inspired By You” brand signature, is perfectly illustrated by its latest products, its advertising strategy and the new corporate identity for the dealer network. I am totally confident that Karl will build on these recent successes for the Citroën brand, here in the UK.”